(L-R) Tan France, Tig Notaro, Will Larkis, Abbie Garretson, Jack Petcoz and Javier Gomez speak onstage during the 26th Annual Webby Awards on May 16 in New York City. (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for The Webby Awards, provided by Sunshine, Sachs, Morgan & Lylis)
Four Florida students – Will Larkins, Jack Petocz, Abbie Garretson and Javier Gomez — who helped to organize the statewide “Say Gay” walkouts this past March were honored with the Social Movement of The Year at the 26th Annual Webby Awards at Cipriani Wall Street in New York City May 16.
The student activists were presented with the award from “Queer Eye’s” Tan France and comedian Tig Notaro.
“The passing of Florida’s HB 557 bill which bans educators from discussing sexual orientation and gender identity in kindergarten through 3rd grade classrooms is one example of bigotry codified into law – you may know it as the ‘Don’t Say Gay’ law and Jack Petocz, Will Larkin, Abbie Garretson and Javier Gomez are examples of how to fight back immediately using the power of words and the Internet,” Notaro said from the stage.
“Direct action like protests, walkouts and letterizing campaigns organized around the Say Gay hashtag, Jack, Will, Abbie, Javier and other organizers they inspire drew national attention to this policies which endangered the lives of LGBTQ+ people in this country,” France added.
While accepting the award, each of the students delivered five-word speeches.
“We will not be silenced,” said Larkins.
“We will keep saying gay,” said Garretson.
“We will vote DeSantis out,” said Petocz.
“This, here, is queer revolution,” said Gomez.
The Webbys were created in 1996 and are presented by the International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences. The awards given for excellence on the internet and are known as the “internet’s highest honor.”
